Methods and systems for determining a tumbling state of a moving object

Abstract

A system for classifying an unclassified object includes an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from a radar system, measurement data associated with the unclassified object, determine a set of characteristics of the unclassified object based on the measurement data, determine an object classification for the unclassified object based on the set of characteristics, and control a tracking system based on the object classification of the unclassified object.

1 .- 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A system for classifying an unclassified object, the system comprising:
 an electronic processor configured to
 receive, from a radar system, measurement data associated with the unclassified object, 
 determine a set of characteristics of the unclassified object based on the measurement data, 
 determine an object classification for the unclassified object based on the set of characteristics, and 
 control a tracking system based on the object classification of the unclassified object. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the unclassified object exhibits spin, precision, and nutation. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the measurement data is three-dimensional data representing spin, precession, and nutation of the unclassified object. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the measurement data describes a set of rotational, Doppler-shifted radar returns exhibited by the unclassified object. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to analyze the measurement data to determine individual rotational components as the set of characteristics describing the unclassified object. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the object classification indicates a type of airborne object. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the object classification is a threat level associated with the unclassified object. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to determine the object classification by
 comparing the set of characteristics of the unclassified object to one or more sets of known characteristics, and   identifying at least one set of known characteristics included in the one or more sets of known characteristics as a match with the set of characteristics of the unclassified object.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one set of known characteristics includes at least one characteristic with the set of characteristics of the unclassified object. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one characteristic included in the set of characteristics of the unclassified object falls within a characteristic range associated with the at least one set of known characteristics. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one set of known characteristics includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a physical feature, a dimensional ratio, and a rotational characteristic. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to determine the object classification by
 accessing a log of known measurements, the log of known measurements includes one or more sets of known measurements and corresponding object classifications for each set of known measurements,   comparing one or more sets of known measurements to the measurement data, and   identifying at least one set of known measurements from the log of known measurements, wherein the object classification is a corresponding object classification associated with the at least one set of known measurements.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to control the tracking system by initiating a countermeasure operation based on the object classification of the unclassified object. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to control the tracking system by generating a log entry for the unclassified object, wherein the log entry includes the object classification of the unclassified object. 
     
     
         20 . A method for classifying an unclassified object, the method comprising:
 receiving, from a radar system, measurement data associated with the unclassified object, wherein the unclassified object is exhibiting a tumbling motion;   determining, with an electronic processor, a set of characteristics of the unclassified object based on the measurement data;   determining, with the electronic processor, an object classification for the unclassified object based on the set of characteristics, and   controlling, with the electronic processor, a tracking system based on the object classification of the unclassified object.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein receiving the measurement data includes receiving three-dimensional data representing spin, precession, and nutation of the unclassified object. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein receiving the measurement data includes receiving a set of rotational, Doppler-shifted radar returns exhibited by the unclassified object. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining the object classification for the unclassified object includes determining at least one selected from a group consisting of a type of airborne object and a threat level associated with the unclassified object. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining the object classification includes
 comparing the set of characteristics of the unclassified object to one or more sets of known characteristics, and   identifying at least one set of known characteristics included in the one or more sets of known characteristics as a match with the set of characteristics of the unclassified object.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein determining the object classification includes
 accessing a log of known measurements, the log of known measurements includes one or more sets of known measurements and corresponding object classifications for each set of known measurements,   comparing one or more sets of known measurements to the measurement data, and   identifying at least one set of known measurements from the log of known measurements, wherein the object classification is a corresponding object classification associated with the at least one set of known measurements.